How uncomfortable is a port@

I really, really hated my port and found it uncomfortable and creepy. But in retrospect, I am glad I had it. I had a friend who didn't have one and her veins really got fried and now she has trouble with blood draws, IVs etc. From now on, you will want all blood draws etc. from your 'good' arm, so I think you will want to protect the integrity of that arm as much as possible. (ie get the port, and anytime you want to swear about it, PM me and I will join in!!!) The placement isn't painful as you are knocked out......hang in there! Ruth

It wasn't too bad at all.  My port site got infected after the surgery, which the doctor said was very rare, but even that wasn't too painful and cleared up with antibiotics. I was under when they put it in, and the area was tender for a few days.  Getting it out was a breeze, especially compared with everything else you have to go through!

I really was glad to have it during those long chemo sessions--some days I'd be hooked up for 4-6 hours, and not having an IV in my arm was great.  It was a little weird to be able to see it pressing against my skin.  I have a little scar there and if I contort my neck/chest just the right way, I can see a line where the tube used to be, but that's filling in.

Hi!  I've had my port put in a year ago. Because of lymphedema on my left arm, I can only get needles on my poor right arm! My port is a lifesaver.

I have terrible veins and the port was really needed as I am doing Herceptin for a year...

That being said, I was crying outside the preschool the morning after port placement because it was so sore and they had told me to take Tylenol.  I called for heavier drugs, used them for 2 days, and everything was much better.

Maybe I just needed a good cry?

Hugs to you...

I had a port during chemo. It was a little uncomfortable sometimes, but not really painful. And a good chemo nurse can tap a port so well you don't feel a thing. If you are getting adriamycin you will want a port because that stuff is super caustic and burns so many people's veins up. They put it in while you are under so you won't feel it going in, and I actually had mine removed while I was awake (although they can put you out for that too). Also, if you are a smaller framed person, they can put in a smaller port which doesn't stick out as much. I wish for the best for you. Let us know what you hear on Monday.

I was absolutely horrified at the idea of a port. But then I met two women who had them and they let me see and touch them and it demystified it a lot and I felt much better about getting one.  That being said, I had 6 chemos and 11 more herceptins over a year. I have awful veins and the port was WONDERFUL to have during treatment. Super easy, painless, stress free. I loved it.

IF you are only having 4 or 6 chemos and not adria (which is so strong/caustic), and you have good veins, I think it is a crapshoot. I might try going without.  However, some of those variables might preclude you from going without.  I found the port install recovery fairly painful (just for the first 5 days), and if I were only having 4 or 6 chemos, it might have been worth not having one. 
Sorry to not be more decisive.  As with so many things about bc, there isn't one clear answer (which sucks).  Find out about what type of chemo and how many and then make a decision. Either way you are going to be fine.

I just had my port put in on Tuesday.  The actual operation was not painful at all.....well, aside from the doc and tech shoving on the side of my neck for what seemed like hours.... but that was a sore neck thing later, only.

 I have had a good deal of discomfort around the port site and the secondary incision where they turn the port south into the vein....  However, I can't even tell the port itself is in.... no sensation at all of it being in my body, other than the pain around the installation site which I know will go away soon.

 I think I will be fine with this........ first TC chemo tomorrow!

I have a port, and honestly, it never has caused me any discomfort whatsoever, not even initially, when it was being placed.Chemo is such a breeze with the port. Everyone is different, but I personally don't feel anything at all when getting my labwork done or chemo infusions. It's a little weird being able to see it under your skin (looks like a circular bump about the size of a penny), but really no big deal at all.

Some of the women had a PICC line which basically is put into your arm. I found it to be a form of medieval torture and removed mine during my sleep. I have had two ports. First one I never felt but the second which was put in going up and into my jugular is more noticeable and feelable. BUT the alternative if there is one is a lot worse.

spt....I had my port put in the morning before my 1st chemo...it was in my upper left arm (couldn't do chest)....the procedure was relatively painless...took a valium before it....done more or less awake by an intervention radiologist....as soon as it was put in, I went to chemo.....had port taken out 3 weeks post chemo and it was even easier than when it was put in....I didn't consider the port being put in or taken out surgery, but just a procedure....good luck to you as you go through this journey....glad you found us, but sorry that you had too....

I also had my port put in when I had my lumpectomy. It was never painful. Week after week of watching people have problems having their veins accessed made me very happy to have my port. The only thing I didn't like was when I showered and washed that area (right side chest)-it was just a reminder of the cancer. I had it removed about 2 months after I finished my Herceptin treatments. The scar is hardly visible now. I'm glad I got the port and would highly recommend it to anyone going thru chemo.